Only two other Canadians – Clifford Olson and Robert Pickton – have faced as many murder charges as former Ontario chef and engineer 57-year-old Kenneth Law.
On Dec. 11, Law, a Mississauga, Ont., man, was charged with 14 counts of second-degree murder. This is in addition to his 14 charges of counselling or aiding suicide for mailing sodium nitrite, which people used to end their lives. In August, he was charged with 12 additional counts of counselling or aiding suicide, bringing the total to 14.
Law has been linked to about 117 deaths across three continents.
The new charges are related to the same alleged victims in multiple Ontario cities, from Toronto to Thunder Bay.
Police say that beginning in late 2020, Law operated several websites where he sold sodium nitrite and other items that can be used for self-harm. Investigators believe Law allegedly sent at least 1,200 packages to people in more than 40 countries.
Sodium nitrite is a common food preservative that’s deadly at high levels. In August, police said they believe Law sent about 160 packages to addresses in Canada.
Law hasn’t been charged in any other country yet but authorities in other countries are investigating him.
He remains in custody.
A multi-jurisdictional team of investigators has been created with officers from Peel Regional Police, York Regional Police, Toronto Police Service, Durham Regional Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, London Police Service, Waterloo Regional Police, Windsor Police Service, Ottawa Police Service, Thunder Bay Police Service, and Barrie Police Service.
Police continue to appeal to the community to be vigilant of online transactions and activity or the arrival of deliveries from any of the following companies: Imtime Cuisine, AmbuCA, Academic/ACademic, Escape Mode/ escMode, and ICemac.
If you or someone you know has received a package from the businesses listed above, please get in touch with your local police service immediately. Packages received could contain hoods, masks, tubing and/or sodium nitrite.
If you have information about an incident or have received a package that you suspect may contain any of these items, please email 11Divproject@peelpolice.ca or the Dedicated Project Line at 1-888-714-0003. Or, if you wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
If you or anyone that you know is struggling with mental health and wellness, please call the newly formed Suicide Crisis Helpline at 9-8-8 or visit www.988.ca.
contact@criminalsamongus.ca
